yground.
“Idon’tknowwhattodonow,”Blomkvisthadsaid.“Thismanhashiredmetoghostwritehisautobiography.UpuntilnowI’vebeeogetupahemomeriestoforcemetowritesomethingthatisn’ttrue,ortriestopersuademetosoryinawayIdon’tholdwith.Nowhe’sapartownerazine—andtheonlyohtheresourcestosaveMillennium.AllofasuddenI’msittingonthefenapositionthataboardofprofessiohicswouldneverapprove.”
“Haveyougotabetteridea?”Bergeraskedhim.“Becauseifyouhave,spititout,beforewetypeupthetradsignit.”
“Ricky,VangerisexploitingusiofprivateveaagainstWer?m.”
“Sowhat?WehaveaveaagainstWer?mourselves.”
Blomkvistturnedawayfromherandlitacigarette.
Theirversationhadgoneonforquiteawhile,untilBergerwentintothebedroom,undressed,andclimbedintobed.Shepreteobeasleepwheinbesidehertwohourster.
ThisevenierfromDagenserhadaskedherthesamequestion:“HowisMillenniumgoingtobeablecrediblytoassertitsindependence?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Thereporterthoughtthequestionhadbeenclearenough,buthespelleditoutanyway.
“OneofMillennium’sobjectivesistoiigatecorporations.Howwillthemagazinebeabletoacrediblewaythatit’siigatingtheVangerCorporation?”
Bergergavehimasurprisedlook,asifthequestioelyued.
“AreyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilityisdiminishedbecauseawell-knownfinahsignifitresourceshasehepicture?”
“YoucouldnotnowcrediblyiigatetheVangerCorporation.”
“IsthatarulethatappliesspecificallytoMillennium?”
“Excuseme?”
“Imean,youworkforapublicationthatisforthemostpartownedbymajorcorporateentities.DoesthatmeanthatheneerspublishedbytheBonnierGroupiscredible?AftoisownedbyahugeNiancorporation,whiturnisamajorpyerinITandmunications—doesthatmeanthatanythingAftopublishesabouttheeleidustryisnotcredible?MetroisowheStenbeckGroup.Areyousayingthatnopublicationihathassignifiteiterestsbehinditiscredible?”
“No,ofcoursenot.”
“ThenwhyareyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilitywouldbediminishedbecausewealsohavebackers?”
Thereporterhelduphishand.
“OK,I’llretractthatquestion.”
“No.Don’tdothat.IwantyoutoprilywhatIsaid.AndyouaddthatifDNpromisestofocusalittleextraontheVangerCorporation,thenwe’llfocusalittlemoreontheBonnierGroup.”
Butitwasahicaldilemma.
BlomkvistwaswforHenrikVanger,whowasinapositiontosinkMillenniumwiththestrokeofapen.WhatwouldhappenifBlomkvistandVangerbecameenemies?
Andaboveall—ricedidsheputonherowncredibility,andwhenhadshebeentransformedfromanindepeeditorintoacorruptedone?
SanderclosedherbrowserandshutdownherPower.Shewasoutofworkandhungry.Thefirstditiondidnotworryhersomuch,sinceshehadregainedtroloverherbankaountandBjurmanhadalreadytakenousofavagueunpleasantnessinherpast.Thehungershedealtwithbyswitgonthecoffeemaker.Shemadethreebigopenrye-breadsandwicheswithcheese,caviar,andahard-boiledegg.Sheatehernighttimesnathesofainthelivingroomwhilesheworkedoionshehadgathered.
ThewyerFrodefromHedestadhadhiredhertodoaigationofMikaelBlomkvist,thejournalistwhowasgivenaprisoenceforlibellingfinancierHans-ErikWer?m.AfewmonthsterHenrikVanger,alsofromHedestad,joinsBlomkvist’smagazine’sboardofdirectorsandcimsthatthereisaspiracytocrushthemagazine.Allthisonthesamedaythatthefoestoprison.Mostfasatingofall:atwo-year-oldbackgroundarticle—“Withtwoemptyhands”—aboutHans-ErikWer?m,whichshefoundintheoionofMonopolyFinancialMagaziseemedthathebeganhiscareerintheverysameVangerCorporationiesixties.
Youdidn’thavetobearocketstisttoseethattheseeventsweresomehowreted.Therehadtobeaskeletoniheircupboards,andSanderlovedhuntions.Besides,shehadnothingelseonatthemoment.
PART3
Mergers
MAY16TOJULY11
ThirteenpertofthewomeninSwedenhavebeensubjectedtoaggravatedsexuassaultoutsideofasexualretionship.
CHAPTER15
Friday,May16–Saturday,May31
MikaelBlomkvistwasreleasedfromRull?kerPrisononFriday,May16,twomonthsafterhewasadmitted.Thesamedayheehefacility,hehadsubmittedanapplicationforparole,withoptimism.Heneverdidquiteuaeicalreasonsbehindhisrelease,butitmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththefactthathedidnotuseanyholidayleaveandthattheprisonpoputionwasforty-twowhilethenumberofbedswasthirty-one.Inanycase,thewardeerSarowsky,aforty-year-oldPolishexile—withwhomBlomkvistgotalongwell,wrotearemendationthathissentencebereduced.
HistimeatRull?kerhadbeenunstressfundpleasantenough.Theprisonhadbeendesigned,asSarowskyexpressedit,forhooligansanddrunkdrivers,notforhardenedcriminals.Thedailyroutinesremindedhimoflivinginayouthhostel.Hisfellowprisoners,halfofwhomweresed-geionimmigrants,regardedBlomkvistassomethingofararebirdinthegroup.HewastheonlyioappearoVnews,whithimacertainstatus.
Onhisfirstday,hewascalledratalkandofferedtherapy,trainingfromKomvux,ortheopportunityforotheradulteducation,andoupationalselling.Hedidnotfeeallforsocialrehabilitation,hehadpletedhisstudies,hethought,andhealreadyhadajob.Oherhand,heaskedforpermissiontokeephisiinhiscellsothathecouldtioworkonthehewasmissioowrite.Hisrequestwasgrahoutfurtherado,andSarowskyarrahimalockablecabisothathecouldleavetheputerinhiscell.Notthatanyoftheinmateswouldhavestolenorvandaliseditoranythinglikethat.Theyratherkeptaprotectiveeyeonhim.
InthiswayBlomkvistspenttwomonthswaboutsixhoursadayontheVangerfamilyicle,workthatwasinterruptedonlybyafewhoursofingorrecreationeachday.Blomkvistandtwoothers,oneofwhomcamefromSk?vdeandhadhisrootsinChile,wereassigotheprisongymeachday.RecreationsistedofwatgTV,pyingcards,httraining.Blomkvistdiscoveredthatheassablepokerpyer,buthestilllostafewfifty-?reseveryday.Regutiotedpyingformohetotalpotdidnotexceedfivekronor.
Hewastoldofhisreleaseonlyonedaybefore.Sarowskysummonedhimtohisoffidtheysharedatoastwithaquavit.
BlomkvistwentstraightbacktotheinHedeby.Whenhewalkedupthefrontstepsheheardameowandfoundhimselfescortedbythereddish-browncat.
“OK,youein,”hesaid.“ButIhavenomilkyet.”
Heunpackedhisbags.Itwasasifhehadbeenonholiday,andherealisedthatheactuallymissedthepanyofSarowskyandhisfellowprisoners.Absurdasitseemed,hehadenjoyedhistimeatRull?ker,buthisreleasehadesouedlythathehadhadnotimetoletanyoneknow.
Itwasjustafter6:00intheevening.HehurriedovertoKonsumtobuygroceriesbeforetheyclosed.WhehomehecalledBerger.Amessagesaidshewasunavaible.Heaskedforhertocallhimtheday.
Thenhewalkeduptohisemployer’shouse.HefoundVahegroundfloor.TheoldmanraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprisewhenhesawMikael.
“Didyouescape?”
“Releasedearly.”
“That’sasurprise.”
“Formetoo.Ifoundoutstnight.”
Theylookedateachotherforafewseds.ThentheoldmansurprisedBlomkvistbythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandgivinghimabearhug.
“Iwasjustabouttoeat.Joinme.”
Annaproducedagreatquantityofbapahlingonberries.Theysatthereinthediningroomandtalkedforalmosttwohours.Blomkvisttoldhimabouthowfarhehadgotwiththefamilyicle,aherewereholesandgaps.TheydidnottalkatalboutHarriet,butVaoldhimalboutMillennium.
“Wehadaboardmeeting.Fr?kenBergerandyourpartnerMalmwerekindenoughtomovetwoofthemeetingsuphere,whileDireatameetinginSto.IreallywishIwereafewyearsyounger,butthetruthisthatit’stformetotravelsofar.I’lltrytogetdownthereduringthesummer.”
“Noreasonnottoholdthemeetingsuphere,”Blomkvistsaid.“Sohowdoesitfeeltobeapartowhemagazine?”
Vangergavehimawrysmile.
“It’sactuallythemostfunI’vehadinyears.I’vetakenalookatthefinances,andtheylookprettyfair.Iwon’thavetoputupasmueyasIthought—thegapbetweenineandexpensesisdwindling.”
“ItalkedwithErikathisweek.Shesaysthatadvertisingrevenuehasperkedup.”
“It’sstartingtoturnaround,yes,butit’lltaketime.AtfirstthepaheVangerCorporatioinandboughtupabunchoffullpageads.Buttwoformeradvertisers—mobiletelephonesandatravelbureau—haveeback.”Hesmiledbroadly.“We’realsodoingalittlemoreoo-olingamongWer?m’senemies.And,believeme,there’salonglist.”
“HaveyouhearddirectlyfromWer?m?”
“Well,notreally.ButweleakedastorythatWer?misanisingtheboyilleneratDNissaidtohavereachedhimandgotasurlyreply.”
“Youareenjoyingthis,aren’tyou?”
“Enjoyisn’ttheword.Ishouldhavedevotedmyselftothisyearsago.”
“WhatisitbetweenyouandWer?m,anyway?”
“Dory.You’llfindoutattheendofyouryear.”
WhenBlomkvistleftVangeraround9:00therewasadistinctfeelingintheair.Itwasdarkoutsideandhehesitatedforamoment.ThenhemadehisfamiliarcircuitandkhedoorofCeciliaVanger’shouse.
Hewasn’tsurewhatheexpected.Ceciliaopenedhereyeswideandinstantlylookedunfortableasshelethimintothehall.Theystoodthere,suddenlyunsureofeachother.Shetooaskedifhehadescaped,andheexpihesituation.
“Ijustwaosayhello.AmIinterruptingsomething?”
Sheavoidedhiseyes.Mikaelcouldseoshewasn’tparticurlygdtoseehim.
“No…no,ein.Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
“Iwould.”
Hefollowedherintothekit.Shestoodwithherbaasshefilledthecoffeemakerwithwater.Heputahandonhershoulder,aiffened.
“Cecilia,youdon’tlookasifyouwanttogivemecoffee.”
“Iwasn’texpegyouforanothermonth,”shesaid.“Yousurprisedme.”
Heturnedheraroundsothathecouldseeherface.Theystoodinsilenoment.Shestillwouldnotlookhimintheeye.
“Cecilia.Fetaboutthecoffee.What’sgoingon?”
Sheshookherheadandtookadeepbreath.
“Mikael,I’dlikeyoutoleave.Don’task.Justleave.”
Mikaelfirstwalkedbacktothecottage,butpausedatthegate,undecided.Insteadofgoingidowntothewaterbythebridgeandsatonarock.HesmokedacigarettewhilehesortedouthisthoughtsandwonderedwhatcouldhavesodramaticallygedCeciliaVanger’sattitudetowardshim.
Hesuddehesoundofanengineandsawabigwhiteboatslipintothesouhthebridge.Whenitpassed,MikaelsawthatitwasMartinVaandingatthewheel,withhisgazefocusedonavoidingsunkenrothewater.Theboatwasaforty-footmotorcruiser—animpressivebundleofpower.Hestoodupandtookthebeachpath.Hediscoveredthatseveralboatswerealreadyieratvariousdocks,amixtureofmotorboatsandsailingboats.TherewereseveralPetterssonboats,andatonedoIF-cssyachtwasroginthewake.Otherboatswerergerandmoreexpensivevessels.HenoticedaHallberg-Rassy.TheboatsalsoindicatedthecssdistributionofHedeby’smarina—MartinVangerhadwithoutadoubtthergestandtheplushestboatinview.
HestoppedbelowCeciliaVanger’shouseandstoleaghelightedwindowsoopfloor.Thehomeandputonsomecoffeeofhisowintohisofficewhilehewaitedforittobrew.
BeforehepresentedhimselfattheprisonhehadreturhemajorityofVanger’sdotationonHarriet.Ithadseemedwisenottoleaveitiyhouse.Nowtheshelveslookedbare.Hehad,ofthereports,onlyfiveofVanger’sownnotes,andthesehehadtakenwithhimtoRull?kerandnowknewbyheart.Henotialbumoopshelfofthecasethathehadfotten.
Hecarriedittothekittable.Hepouredhimselfcoffeeandbegangoingthroughit.
TheywerephotographsthathadbeehedayHarrietdisappeared.ThefirstofthemwasthestphotographofHarriet,attheChildren’sDayparadeiad.Thenthereweresome180crystal-clearpicturesoftheseoftheaidentonthebridge.Hehadexamiheimagesonebyohamagnifyinggssonseveraloasionspreviously.urhepagesalmostabsent-mindedly;heknewhewasnotgoingtofindanythinghehadnotseenbefore.InfacthefeltallofasuddenfedupwiththeunexpinabledisappearanceofHarrietVangerandsmmedthealbumshut.
Restlesslyhewenttothekitwindoeeredoutintothedarkness.
Theurnedhisgazebacktothealbum.Hecouldnothaveexpihefeeling,butathoughtflittedthroughhishead,asthoughhewerereagtosomethinghehadjustseen.Itwasasthoughaninvisiblecreaturehadwhisperedinhisear,makingthehairsonthebackofhisandonend.
Heopehealbumagaithroughitpagebypage,lookingatallthepicturesofthebridge.Helookedattheyoungerversionofanoil-soakedHenrikVangerandayoungerHarald,amanwhomhehadstillhebrokenrailing,thebuildings,thewindowsandthevehiclesvisibleiures.Hecouldnotfailtoidentifyatwenty-year-oldCeciliainthemidstoftheonlookers.Shehadonalight-coloureddressandadarkjacketandwasiwentyofthephotographs.
Hefeltafreshexcitement,aheyearsBlomkvisthadlearrusthisinstincts.Theseinstinctswerereagtosomethinginthealbum,buthecouldsaywhatitwas.
Hewasstiltthekittableat11:00,staringonebyoneagainatthephotographswhehedooropen.
“MayIein?”ItwasCeciliaVanger.Withoutwaitingforananswershesatdownacrossfromhimatthetable.Blomkvisthadastrangefeelingofdéjàvu.Shewasdressedinathin,loose,light-coloureddressandagreyish-bluejacket,clothesalmostidenticaltothoseshewaswearingiographsfrom1966.
“You’retheonewho’stheproblem,”shesaid.
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
“Fiveme,butyoutookmebysurprisewhenyoukhedoortonight.NowI’msounhappyI’tsleep.”
“Whyareyouunhappy?”
“Don’tyouknow?”
Heshookhishead.
“IfItellyou,promiseyouwon’tugh.”
“Promise.”
“WhenIseducedyoustwiwasanidiotic,impulsiveact.Iwaoenjoymyself,that’sall.ThatfirstnightIwasquitedrunk,andIhadnoiionofstartinganythinglong-termwithyou.Thenitturosomethingelse.Iwantyoutoknowthatthoseweekswithyouasmyoasionalloverweresomeofthehappiestinmylife.”
“Ithoughtitwaslovelytoo.”
“Mikael,I’vebeenlyingtoyouandtomyselfthewholetime.I’veneverbeenparticurlyrexedaboutsex.I’vehadfivesexpartnersiirelife.OncewhenIwastwenty-oneaahenwithmyhusband,whomImetwhenIwastwenty-fiveandwhoturtobeabastard.AndtheimeswiththreeguysImetseveralyearsapart.Butyouprovokedsomethinginme.Isimplycouldenough.Ithadsomethingtodowiththefactthatyou’resoundemanding.”
“Cecilia,youdon’thaveto…”
“Shh—don’tinterrupt,orI’llneverbeabletotellyouthis.”
Blomkvistsatinsilence.
“ThedayyouleftforprisonIwasabsolutelymiserable.Yohoughyouhadneverexisted.Itwasdarkhereintheguesthouse.Itwascoldayinmybed.AndthereIwas,anoldmaidoffifty-sixagain.”
ShesaidnothingforawhileandlookedBlomkvistintheeyes.
“Ifellihyoustwinter.Idido,butithappened.Aookstodrealisedthatyouwereoemporarily;onedayyou’llbegonefood,andI’llstayherefortherestofmylife.IthurtsodamnmuchthatIdecidedIwasn’tgoingtoletyouinagainwhenyoucamebaprison.”
“I’msorry.”
“It’snotyourfault.WhenyoulefttonightIsatandcried.IwishIhadthecetolivemylifeain.ThenIwoulddecideonohing.”
“What’sthat?”
Shelookeddownatthetable.
“ThatIwouldhavetobetotallyinsaostopseeingyoujustbecauseyoingtoleaveoneday.Mikael,westartagain?youfetpenedearlierthisevening?”
“It’sfotten,”hesaid.“Butthankyoufortellingme.”
Shewasstilllookingdownatthetable.
“Ifyoustillwa’sdoit.”
Shelookedathimagain.Theupaovertothebedroomdoor.Shedroppedherjacketonthefloorandpulledherdressoverherheadasshewent.
BlomkvistandCeciliaVangerwokeupwhenthefrontdooropenedandsomeonewaswalkingthroughthekit.Theyheardthethudofsomethingheavybeingputdowhewoodstove.ThenBergerwasstandinginthebedroomdoorwaywithasmilethatrapidlygedtoshock.
“Oh,goodLord.”Shetookastepback.
“Hi,Erika,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Hi.I’msosorry.Iapologiseathousandtimesfihis.Ishouldhaveknocked.”
“Weshouldhavelockedthefrontdoor.Erika—thisisCeciliaVanger.Cecilia—ErikaBergeristheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
“Hi,”Ceciliasaid.
“Hi,”Bergersaid.Shelookedasthoughshecouldnotdecidewhethertostepforolitelyshakehandsorjustleave.“Uh,I…Igoforawalk…”
“Whatdoyousaytoputtingonsomecoffeeinstead?”Blomkvistlookedatthearmclothebedsidetable.Justpastnoon.
Bergernoddedandpulledthebedroomdoorshut.BlomkvistandCecilialookedateachother.Ceciliaappearedembarrassed.Theyhadmadeloveandtalkeduntil4:00inthem.ThenCeciliasaidshethoughtshe’dsleepoverandthatiureshewouldn’tgiveatinker’scusswhoknewshewassleepingwithMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadsleptwithherbaandwithhisarmtuckedaroundherbreasts.
“Listen,it’sOK,”hesaid.“Erika’smarriedandsheisn’tmygirlfriend.Weseeeachothernowandthen,butshedoesn’tcareatallifyouandIhavesomething…She’sprobablyprettyembarrassedherselfrightnow.”
Whentheywentintothekitawhileter,Erikahadsetoutcoffee,juice,lemonmarmade,cheese,andtoast.Itsmelledgood.Ceciliawentstraightuptoherandheldoutherhand.
“Iwasalittleabruptinthere.Hi.”
“DearCecilia,I’msosorryforstompinginlikeanelephant,”saidaveryembarrassedErikaBerger.
“Fetit,fod’ssake.A’shavebreakfast.”
AfterbreakfastBergerexcusedherselfahemalone,sayingthatshehadtogoandsayhellotoVanger.Ceciliaclearedthetablewithherbaikael.Hewentupandputhisarmsaroundher.
“What’sgoingtohappennow?”Ceciliasaid.
“Nothing.Thisisthewayitis—Erikaismybestfriend.SheandIhavebeeheroffandonfortwentyyearsandwillprobablybe,onandoff,togetherforawenty.Ihopeso.Butwe’veneverbeenacoupleandweinthewayofeachother’sromances.”
“Isthatwhatwehave?Aromance?”
“Idon’tknoehave,butapparentlywegetalong.”
“Where’sshegoingtosleeptonight?”
“We’llfindheraroomsomewhere.OneofHenrik’ssparerooms.Shewon’tbesleepinginmybed,anyway.”
Ceciliathoughtaboutthisforamoment.
“Idon’tknowifIhahis.Youandshemightfunthatway,butIdon’tknow…I’venever…”Sheshookherhead.“I’mgoingbaypce.Ihavetothinkaboutthisforawhile.”
“Cecilia,youaskedmeearlierandItoldyouaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Herexisten’tbeasurprisetoyou.”
“That’strue.ButaslongasshewasatafortabledistancedowninStoIcouldignoreher.”
Ceciliaputonherjacket.
“Thissituationisludicrous,”shesaidwithasmile.“eoverfordionight.BringErika.IthinkI’mgoingtolikeher.”
Erikahadalreadysolvedtheproblemofwheretosleep.OnpreviousoasionswhenshehadbeenuptoHedebytovisitVangershehadstayedinoneofhissparerooms,andsheaskedhimstraightoutifshecouldborrowtheroomagain.Henrikcouldscarcelycealhisdelight,andheassuredherthatshewasweleatanytime.
Withtheseformalitiesoutoftheway,BlomkvistandBergerwentforawalkacrossthebridgeandsatoerraceofSusanne’sBridgeCaféjustbeforeclosingtime.
“I’mreallypissedoff,”Bergersaid.“Idrivealltheheretoweleyoubacktofreedomandfindyouihthetownfemmefatale.”
“I’msorryaboutthat.”
“HowlonghaveyouandMissBigTits…”Bergerwavedherindexfinger.
“FromaboutthetimeVangerbecamepartowner.”
“Aha.”
“Whatdoyoumean,aha?”
“Justcurious.”
“Cecilia’sagoodwoman.Ilikeher.”
“I’mnotcritig.I’mjustpissedoff.dywithinreadthenIhavetogoo.Horison?”
“Likeafulholiday.Howarethingsatthemagazine?”
“Better.Forthefirsttimeiheadvertisingrevenueisontherise.We’rewaybelowthistimestyear,butwe’veturheer.ThankstoHenrik.Buttheweirdthingisthatsubscriptioinguptoo.”
“Theytendtofluctuate.”
“Byacoupleofhundredonewayortheother.Butwe’vepickedupthreethousandiquarter.AtfirstIthoughtitwasjustluck,butnewsubscriberskeepingin.It’sestsubscriptionjumpever.Atthesametime,ourexistingsubscribersarerenewiysistentlyacrosstheboard.Noneofusderstandit.Wehaven’trunanyadcampaigns.Christerspentaweekdoingspotchewhatsortofdemographicisshowingup.First,they’reallbrand-newsubscribers.Sed,70pertofthemarewomen.Normallyit’stheotherwayaround.Third,thesubscribersbedescribedasmiddle-ie-colrworkersfromthesuburbs:teachers,middlema,civilserviceworkers.”
“Thinkit’sthemiddle-cssrevoltagainstbigcapital?”
“Idon’tknow.Butifthiskeepsup,it’llmeanasignifitshiftinoursubscriberprofile.Wehadaorialferewoweeksagoanddecidedtostartrunniypesofmaterialinthemagazine.IwantmorearticlesonprofessionalmattersassociatedwithTCO,theSwedishfederationofProfessionalEmployees,andalsomoreiigativereponwomen’sissues,forinstance.”
“Don’tgetoomuch,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ifwe’regettingnewsubscribersthehattheylikewhatwe’rerunningalready.”
CeciliahadalsoinvitedVaodinner,possiblytoreducetheriskoftroublesometopicsofversation.Shehadmadeavenisonstew.BergerandVangerspentagooddealofthetimediscussingMillennium’sdevelopmentandthenewsubscribers,butgraduallytheversatiooothermatters.BergersuddenlyturoBlomkvistatonepointandaskedhimhoasingalong.
“I’mtingonhavingadraftofthefamilyiclepleteinamonthforHenriktolookat.”
“AithespiritoftheAddamsfamily,”Ceciliasaid.
“Itdoeshavecertainhistoricaspects,”Blomkvistceded.
CeciliagVanger.
“Mikael,Henrikisn’treallyiedinafamilyicle.HewantsyoutosolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
Blomkvistdidnotsayaword.EversincehehadbegunhisretionshipwithCeciliahehadtalkedfairlyopenlyaboutHarrietwithher.Ceciliahadalreadydeducedthatthiswashisreassig,eventhoughheneverformallyadmittedit.HehadcertaioldHenrikthatheandCeciliahaddiscussedthesubject.Vanger’sbushyeyebrowsdrewtogetherabit.Erikawassilent.
“MydearHenrik,”Ceciliasaid.“I’mnotstupid.Idon’tknowwhatsortofagreementyouandMikaelhave,buthisstayhereinHedebyisaboutHarriet.Itis,isn’tit?”
VangernoddedandgBlomkvist.
“Itoldyoushewassharp.”Heturer.“IpresumethatMikaelhasexpioyouwhathe’swonhereinHedeby.”
Shenodded.
“AndIpresumeyouthinkit’sasenselessuaking.No,youdon’thavetoahat.Itisanabsurdandseask.ButIhavetofindout.”
“Ihavenoopinionoer,”Bergersaiddiplomatically.
“Ofcourseyoudo.”HeturoBlomkvist.“Tellme.Haveyoufoundanythingatallthatmighttakeusforward?”
BlomkvistavoidedmeetingVanger’sgaze.Hethoughtinstantlyofthecold,unpceablecertaintyhehadhadthenightbefore.Thefeelinghadbeenwithhimallday,buthehadhadnotimetoworkhiswaythroughthealbumagain.AtsthelookedupatVangerandshookhishead.
“Ihaven’tfoundasihing.”
Theoldmanscrutinisedhimeratinglook.Herefrainedfrommenting.
“Idon’tknowaboutyouyoungpeople,”hesaid,“butformeit’stimetogotobed.Thankyoufordinner,Cecilia.Goodnight,Erika.Doseemebeforeyouleavetomorrow.”
WhenVangerhadclosedthefrontdoor,sileledoverthem.ItwasCeciliawhospokefirst.
“Mikael,whatwasallthatabout?”
“ItmeansthatHenrikisassensitivetopeople’sreasasaseismograph.LastnightwhenyoucametothecottageIwaslookingthroughanalbum.”
“Yes?”
“Isawsomething.Idon’tknowwhatitwasyet.Itwassomethingthatalmostbecameanidea,butImissedit.”
“Sowhatwereyouthinkingabout?”
“Ijust’ttellyou.Andthenyouarrived.”
Ceciliablushed.SheavoidedBerger’sgazeaouttoputonsomecoffee.
Itwasawarmandsunnyday.Newgreenshootsearing,andBlomkvistcaughthimselfhummingtheoldsong,“BlossomTimeIsing.”ItwasMondayandBergerhadleftearly.
Whenhehadgooprisoninmid-Marowstillcoveredthend.Nowthebircheswereturninggreenandthewnaroundhiswaslush.ForthefirsttimehehadacetolookaroundallofHedebyIsnd.At8:00hewentoverandaskedtoborrowathermosfromAnna.HespokebrieflywithVanger,whowasjustup,andwasgivenhismapoftheisedtogetacloserlookatGottfried’s.VaoldhimthatthewasownedbyMartinVangernowbutthatithadstoodmostlyvatovertheyears.Oasionallysomeretivewouldborrowit.
BlomkvistjustmaocatchMartinbeforeheleftforwork.Heaskedifhemightborrowthekey.Martingavehimanamusedsmile.
“IpresumethefamilyiclehasnowreachedthechapteraboutHarriet.”
“Ijustwanttotakealook…”
Martincamebackwiththekeyinaminute.
“IsitOKthen?”
“AsfarasI’med,youmoveinthereifyouwant.Exceptforthefactthatit’sstuckrightattheotherendoftheisnd,it’sactuallyanicerspotthaageyou’rein.”
Blomkvistmadecoffeeandsandwiches.Hefilledabottlewithwaterbeforehesetoff,stuffinghispiiarucksackheslungoveroneshoulder.Hefollowedanarrow,partiallyrownpaththatranalongthebayohsideofHedebyIsnd.Gottfried’swasonapointaboutoneandahalfmilesfromthevilge,andittookhimonlyhalfanhourtocoverthedistaaleisurelypace.
MartinVangerhadbeenright.WhenBlomkvistcamearoundthebendofthenarrowpath,ashadedareabythewateropenedup.TherewasamarvellousviewoftheiheHedeRiver,Hedestadmarinatotheleft,andtheindustrialharbourtht.
Hewassurprisedthatno-onehadwaomoveintoGottfried’s.Itwasarusticstructuremadeofhorizontaldark-staiimberwithatileroofandgreenframes,andwithasmallporchatthefrontdoor.Themaintehehadbeened.Thepaintaroundthedoorsandwindowswasfkingoff,andwhatshouldhavebeenawnwasscrubayardhigh.Clearingitwouldtakeonewholeday’shardworkwithscytheandsaw.
Blomkvistunlockedthedooranduheshuttersoverthewindowsfromtheiheframeworkseemedtobeanoldbarhan1,300squarefeet.Theinsidewasfihpnksandsistedofoneroomwithbigwindowsfagthewaterohersideofthefrontdoor.Astaircaseledtoanopensleepingloftattherearofthethatcoveredhalfthespace.Behestairswasahapropanegasstove,ater,andasink.Thefurnishingswerebasic;builtintothewalltotheleftofthedoortherewasbench,aricketydesk,andaboveitacasewithteakshelves.Fartherdownonthesamesidewasabroadwardrobe.Thtofthedoorwasaroundtablewithfivewoodenchairs;afirepcestoodinthemiddleofthesidewall.
Thehadricity;iherewereseveralkerosenemps.InonewindowwasanoldGrundigtransistorradio.Theantennawasbrokenoff.Blomkvistpressedthepowerbuttonbutthebatteriesweredead.
Hewentupthenarrowstairsandlookedaroundthesleepingloft.Therewasadoublebedwithabaremattress,abedsidetable,andachestofdrawers.
Blomkvistspentawhileseargthroughthe.Thebureautyexceptforsomehandtowelsandlinensmellingfaintlyofmould.Inthewardrobethereweresomeworkclothes,apairofoveralls,rubberboots,apairofworntennisshoes,andakeroseove.Inthedeskdraritingpaper,pencils,abchpad,adeckofcards,andsomemarks.Thekitcupboardtaies,mugs,gsses,dles,andsomepackagesofsalt,teabags,andthelike.Inadraweriabletherewereeatingutensils.
Hefoundtheonlytracesofanyintellectualisonthecaseabovethedesk.Mikaelbroughtoverachairandgotuponittoseewhatwasontheshelves.OnthelowestshelfyissuesofSe,Rekasi,Tidsf?rdriv,ayrfromthetefiftiesandearlysixties.TherewereseveralBildjournalenfrom1965and1966,MattLivsNovell,andafewics:The91,Phantomen,andRomans.HeopenedacopyofLektyrfrom1964andsmiledtoseehowchastethepin-upwas.
Ofthes,abouthalfweremysterypaperbacksfromWahlstr?m’sManhattanseries:MickeySpilhtitleslikeKissMe,DeadlywiththecssioversbyBertilHegnd.HefoundhalfadozenKittys,someFamousFivenovelsbyEnidBlyton,andaTwinMysterybySivarAhlrud—TheMetroMystery.Hesmiledinreition.ThreesbyAstridLiheChildrenofNoisyVilge,KalleBlomkvistandRasmus,andPippiLongstog.Thetopshelfhadaaboutshort-waveradio,twosonastronomy,abirdguide,acalledTheEvilEmpireontheSovietUnion,aontheFinnishWinterWar,Luther’scatechism,theofHymns,andtheBible.
HeopeheBibleandreadontheinsidecover:HarrietVanger,May12,1963.ItwasherfirmationBible.Hesadlyputitbatheshelf.
Behindthetherewereawoodandtoolshedwithascythe,rake,hammer,andabigboxwithsaws,pnes,andothertools.Hetookachairontothepordpouredcoffeefromhisthermos.HelitacigaretteandlookedacrossHedestadBaythroughtheveilofundergrowth.
Gottfried’swasmuodestthanhehadexpected.HerewasthepcetowhichHarrietandMartin’sfatherhadretreatedwhenhismarriagetoIsabelwasgoingtothedogsiefifties.Hehadmadethishishomeandherehegotdrunk.Anddownthere,hewharf,hehaddrowned.Lifeatthehadprobablybeenpleasantinthesummer,butwheemperaturedroppedtofreezingitmusthavebeenrawached.AtowhatVaoldhim,GottfriedtioworkintheVangerCorporation—interruptedbyperiodswhenhewasonwildbinges—until1964.Thefactthathewasabletoliveinthemoreorlesspermalyandstilppearforworkshaven,washed,andinajacketandtiespokeofasurvivingpersonaldiscipline.
AndherewasalsothepcethatHarriethadbeentosooftenthatitwasohefirstinwhichtheylookedforher.Vangerhadtoldhimthatduriyear,Harriethadgoentothe,apparentlytobeinpeaweekendsorholidays.Isummershehadlivedhereforthreemonths,thoughshecameintothevilgeeveryday.AnitaVanger,Cecilia’ssister,spentsixweekswithherhere.
WhathadshedohereallohemagazitLivsNovelndRomans,aswelsanumberofsaboutKitty,musthavebeenhers.Perhapsthesketchpadhadbeenhers.AndherBiblewashere.
Shehadwaobeclosetoherlostfather—wasitaperiodofmsheogetthrough?Ordidithavetodowithherreligiousbrooding?Theartan—wasshepretendingtoliveinavent?
Blomkvistfollowedtheshoreliothesoutheast,butthewaywassointerruptedbyravinesandsogrowhjunipershrubsthatitwasallbutimpassable.HewentbacktotheandstartedbatheroadtoHedeby.AtothemapthereaththroughthewoodstosomethingcalledtheFortress.Ittookhimtwentymiofinditintherownscrub.TheFortresswaswhatremaiheshorelinedefentheSedWorldWar;cretebunkerswithtrenchesspreadoutaroundamandbuilding.Everythingwasoverrunwithlonggrassandscrub.
Hewalkeddoathtoaboathouse.otheboathousehefoundthewreckofaPetterssonboat.HereturheFortressandtookapathuptoafence—hehadeto?sterg?rdenfromtheotherside.
Hefollowedthemeanderingpaththroughthewohlyparalleltothefieldsof?sterg?rdehwasdifficulttoiate—therewerepatarshthathehadtoskirt.Finallyhecametoasandbeyonditabarn.Asfarashecouldseethepathehere,ahundredyardsfromtheroadto?sterg?rden.
Beyondtheroadythehill,S?derberget.Blomkvistwalkedupasteepslopeandhadtoclimbthestbit.S?derberget’ssummitwasanalmostverticalclifffagthewater.HefollowedtheridgebacktowardsHedeby.Hestoppedabovethesummercottagestoenjoytheviewoftheoldfishingharbourandthechurdhisowncottage.Hesatonaftrodpouredhimselfthestofthelukewarmcoffee.
CeciliaVangerkeptherdistance.Blomkvistdidnotwanttobeimportunate,sohewaitedaweekbeforehewenttoherhouse.Shelethimin.
“YoumustthinkI’mquitefoolish,afifty-six-year-old,respectableheadmistressaglikeateenagegirl.”
“Cecilia,yrownwoman.Youhavetherighttodowhateveryouwant.”
“Iknowandthat’swhyI’vedecidednottoseeyouanymore.I’tstand…”
“Please,youdon’tonation.Ihopewe’restillfriends.”
“Iwouldlikeforustoremainfriends.ButI’tdealwitharetionshipwithyou.Ihaven’teverbeengoodatretionships.I’dlikeitifyouwouldleavemeinpeaceforawhile.”
CHAPTER16
Sunday,Juuesday,June10
Aftersixmonthsoffruitlesscogitation,thecaseofHarrietVangercrackedopen.InthefirstweekofJune,Blomkvistuhreetotallynewpiecesofthepuzzle.Twoofthemhefoundhimself.Thethirdhehadhelpwith.
AfterBerger’svisitinMay,hehadstudiedthealbumagain,sittingforthreehours,lookingatoographafteranother,ashetriedtorediscoverwhatitwasthathehadreactedto.Hefailedagain,soheputthealbumasideabacktoworkonthefamilyistead.
OnedayinJunehewasiad,thinkingaboutsomethingaltogetherdifferent,whenhisbustursgatananditsuddenlycametohimwhathadbeengerminatinginthebackofhismind.Theinsightstruckhimlikeathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Hefeltsofusedthathestayedonthebusallthewaytotheststopbytherailwaystation.TherehetookthefirstbusbacktoHedebytocheckwhetherhehadrememberedcorrectly.
Itwasthefirstphotographinthealbum,thestpicturetakenofHarrietVahatfatefuldaysgataad,whileshehadbeenwatgtheChildren’sDayparade.
Thephotographwasanoddoohaveincludedinthealbum.Ituttherebecauseitwastakenthesameday,butitwastheonlyohephotographsnotoftheaidentonthebridge.EachtimeBlomkvistandeveryoneelsehadlookedatthealbum,itwasthepeopleaailsiuresofthebridgethathadcapturedtheirattention.TherewasnodramaiureofacrowdattheChildren’sDayparade,severalhoursearlier.
Vangermusthavelookedatthephotographathousandtimes,asorrowfulremihathewouldneverseeheragain.
ButthatwasnotwhatBlomkvisthadreactedto.
Itwastakenfromacrossthestreet,probablyfromafirst-floorwindow.Thewide-anglelenshadcaughtthefrontofohefloats.Obedwerewomenwearingglitteringbathingsuitsandharemtrousers,throwiothecrowd.Someofthemweredang.Threeswerejumpingaboutinfrontofthefloat.
Harrietwasinthefrontrowofthecrowdstandingonthepavemeoherwerethreegirls,clearlyhercssmates,andaroundandbehindthemwereatleastahuherspectators.
ThisiswhatBlomkvisthadnoticedsubsciouslyandwhichsuddenlyrosetothesurfacewhenthebuspassedtheexactsamespot.
Thecrowdbehavedasanaudienceshould.Theireyesalwaysfollowtheballinatennismatchorthepuanicehockeyrink.Theoandingatthefarleftofthephotographwerelookingatthesrightinfrontoftheheexpressionsontheirfaceswerecalm.Childrenpointed.Somewereughing.Everyonelookedhappy.
Allexceptone.
HarrietVangerwaslookingofftotheside.Herthreefriendsandeveryoneelseinherviitywerelookingatthes.Harriet’sfacewasturnedalmost30°to35°tht.Hergazeseemedfixedohingacrossthestreet,butbeyo-handedgeofthephotograph.
Mikaeltookthemagnifyinggssandtriedtomakeoutthedetails.Thephotographwastakenfromtoogreatadistantobeentirelysure,butuhosearoundher,Harriet’sfaceckedexcitement.Hermouthwasathinline.Hereyeswerewideopen.Herhandshunglimplyathersides.Shelookedfrightened.Frightenedorfurious.
Mikaeltooktheprintoutofthealbum,putitinastiffpstider,aowaitforthebusbatoHedestad.HegotoffatJ?rnv?gsgatanandstooduhewindowfromwhichthepicturemusthavebeewasattheedgeofwhatstitutedHedestad’stowre.Itwasatwo-storeywoodenbuildingthathousedavideostoreandSundstr?m’sHaberdashery,establishedin1932atoapqueonthefrontdoor.Hewentinandsawthattheshopwasontwolevels;aspiralstaircaseledtotheupperfloor.
Atthetopofthespiralstaircasetwowindowsfacedthestreet.
“MayIhelpyou?”saidanelderlysalesmanwhenBlomkvisttookoutthebihthephotograph.Therewereonlyafewpeopleintheshop.
“Well,Ijustwaoseewherethispicturewastakenfrom.WoulditbeOKifIopehewindowforased?”
Themansaidyes.BlomkvistcouldseeexactlythespotwhereHarriethadstood.Ohewoodenbuildingsbehihephotographwasgone,repcedbyanangurbrickbuilding.Theotherwoodenbuildinghadbeenastatioorein1966;nowitwasahealthfoodstoreandtanningsalon.Blomkvistclosedthewindow,thaheman,andapologisedfortakinguphistime.
HecrossedthestreetandstoodwhereHarriethadstood.HehadgoodndmarksbetweenthewindowoftheupperfloorofthehaberdasheryandthedoorofthetanningsalournedhisheadandlookedalongHarriet’slineofsight.Asfarashecouldtell,shehadbeenlookingtowardstheerofthebuildingthathousedSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Iterfeormalerofabuilding,whereacrossstreetvanishedbehindit.Whatdidyouseethere,Harriet?
Blomkvistputthephotographinhisshoulderbagandwalkedtotheparkbythestation.Therehesatinapavementcaféandorderedatte.Hesuddeshaken.
InEnglishtheycallit“newevidence,”whichhasaverydifferentsoundfromtheSwedishterm,“newproofmaterial.”Hehadseehiirelynew,somethingno-oneelsehadnotiaigationthathadbeenmarkingtimeforthirty-sevenyears.
Theproblemwasthathewasn’tsurewhatvaluehisnewrmationhad,ificouldhaveanyatall.Ahefeltitwasgoingtoprovesignifit.
TheSeptemberdaywhenHarrietdisappearedhadbeendramatiumberofways.Ithadbeenadayofcelebratioadwithcrowdsofseveralthousandireets,youngandold.Ithadbeenthefamily’sannuassemblyonHedebyIsnd.Thesetwoeventsalonerepresenteddeparturesfromthedailyroutihearea.Thecrashonthebridgehadovershadowedeverythingelse.
IorMorell,HenrikVanger,andeveryoneelsewhohadbroodedaboutHarriet’sdisappearancehadfocusedosatHedebyIsnd.MorellhadevenwrittenthathecouldnotridhimselfofthesuspithattheaidentandHarriet’sdisappearancewerereted.Blomkvistwasnowvihatthisnotionwaswrong.
TheofeventshadstartednotonHedebyIsndbutiadseveralhoursearlier.HarrietVangerhadseehingorsomehtenherandprompthertogohome,ghttoheruncle,whounhappilydidnothavetimetolistehentheaidentonthebridgehappehenthemurdererstruck.
Blomkvistpaused.ItwasthefirsttimehehadsciouslyformutedtheassumptionthatHarriethadbeenmurdered.HeaeptedVanger’sbelief.Harrietwasdeadandhewashuntingforakiller.
Hewentbacktothepolicereport.Amongallthethousandsofpagesonlyafradealtwiththeeventsiad.Harriethadbeenwiththreeofhercssmates,allofwhomhadbeeninterviewed.Theyhadmetattheparkbythestationat9:00.Ohegirlswasgoingtobuysomejeans,andherfriewithher.TheyhadcoffeeintheEPAdepartmentstorecafeteriaandtheuptothesportsfieldandstrolledaroundamongtheivalboothsandfishingponds,wheretheyranintosomeotherfriendsfromschool.Atnoontheywanderedbatotowntowatchtheparade.Justbefore2:00iernoonHarrietsuddenlytoldthemthatshehadtogohome.TheysaidgoodbyeatabusstopnearJ?rnv?gsgatan.
Noneofherfriendshadnotiythingunusual.OhemwasIeheonewhohaddescribedHarriet’stransformatiohepastyearbysayingthatshehadbee“impersonal.”ShesaidthatHarriethadbeentaciturnthatday,whichwasusual,andmostlyshejustfollowedtheothers.
IorMorellhadtalkedtoallofthepeoplewhohadenteredHarrietthatday,eveniftheyhadonlysaidhellointhegroundsofthefamilyparty.Aphotographofherublishedintheloeerswhilethesearchwasgoingon.Aftershewentmissing,severalresidentsofHedestadhadtactedthepolicetosaythattheythoughttheyhadseenherduringthedayoftheparade,butno-onehadreportedanythingoutoftheordinary.
ThemBlomkvistfoundVahisbreakfasttable.
“YousaidthattheVangerfamilystillhasaintheHedestadCourier.”
“That’sright.”
“I’dliketohaveaesstotheirphotographicarchive.From1966.”
Vadownhisgssofmilkandwipedhisupperlip.
“Mikael,whathaveyoudiscovered?”
Helookedtheoldmanstraightintheeye.
“Nothingsolid.ButIthinkwemayhavemadeamistakeabouttheofevents.”
HeshowedVahephotographandtoldhimwhathewasthinking.Vasayingnothingforalongtime.
“IfI’mright,wehavetolookasfaraswestillatpenediadthatday,notjustatpenedonHedebyIsnd,”Blomkvistsaid.“Idon’tknowhowtogoaboutitaftersuchalongtime,butalotofphotographsmusthavebeeheChildren’sDaycelebrationswhichwereneverpublished.ThosearetheonesIwanttolookat.”
Vangerusedthetelephohekit.HecalledMartin,expinedwhathewanted,andaskedwhothepictureseditorwasthesedays.Withintenmiherightpeoplehadbeenlocatedandaesshadbeenarranged.
ThepictureseditoroftheHedestadCourierwasMadeleineBl,calledMaja.ShewasthefirstictureseditorBlomkvisthadmetinjournalism,wherephotographywasstillprimarilyamaleartform.
SiwasSaturday,thenewsroomty,butMajaBlturtoliveonlyfiveminutesaway,aBlomkvistattheoffitrance.ShehadworkedattheHedestadCourierformostofherlife.Shestartedasaproof-readerin1964,gedtophoto-finisheraanumberofyearsinthedarkroom,whileoasionallybeioutasaphotographerwhentheusualresourceswereinsuffit.Shehadgaihepositioor,earnedafull-timepostouredesk,andtenyearsago,whentheoldpictureseditorretired,shetookoverasheadofthedepartment.
Blomkvistaskedhowthepicturearchivewasarranged.
“Totellyouthetruth,thearchiveisratheramess.Siputersanddigitalphotographs,thecurrentarchiveisonCDs.We’vehadaninternherewhospentsometimesinginimportantolderpictures,butonlyasmallpertageofwhat’siackshavebeencatalogued.Olderpicturesarearrangedbydateiivefolders.They’reeitherhereinthenewsroomoriicstoreroom.”
“I’miedinphotographstakenoftheChildren’sDayparadein1966,butalsoinanyphotographsthatweretakenthatweek.”
Fr?kenBlavehimaquizzicallook.
“YoumeantheweekthatHarrietVangerdisappeared?”
“Youknowthestory?”
“Youcouldn’tworkattheCourieryourwholelifewithoutknowingaboutit,andwhenMartinVangercallsmeearlyinthemonmydayoff,Idrawmyownclusions.Hassomethiurnedup?”
Blhadanosefornews.Blomkvistshookhisheadwithalittlesmileandgaveherhiscoverstory.
“No,andIdon’tsupposeanyonewilleverfindthesolutiontothatpuzzle.It’sratherfidential,butthefactisthatI’mghostwritingHenrikVanger’sautobiography.Thestoryofthemissinggirlisanoddtopic,butit’salsoachapterthat’treallybeignored.I’mlookingforsomethingt
“Idon’tknowwhattodonow,”Blomkvisthadsaid.“Thismanhashiredmetoghostwritehisautobiography.UpuntilnowI’vebeeogetupahemomeriestoforcemetowritesomethingthatisn’ttrue,ortriestopersuademetosoryinawayIdon’tholdwith.Nowhe’sapartownerazine—andtheonlyohtheresourcestosaveMillennium.AllofasuddenI’msittingonthefenapositionthataboardofprofessiohicswouldneverapprove.”
“Haveyougotabetteridea?”Bergeraskedhim.“Becauseifyouhave,spititout,beforewetypeupthetradsignit.”
“Ricky,VangerisexploitingusiofprivateveaagainstWer?m.”
“Sowhat?WehaveaveaagainstWer?mourselves.”
Blomkvistturnedawayfromherandlitacigarette.
Theirversationhadgoneonforquiteawhile,untilBergerwentintothebedroom,undressed,andclimbedintobed.Shepreteobeasleepwheinbesidehertwohourster.
ThisevenierfromDagenserhadaskedherthesamequestion:“HowisMillenniumgoingtobeablecrediblytoassertitsindependence?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Thereporterthoughtthequestionhadbeenclearenough,buthespelleditoutanyway.
“OneofMillennium’sobjectivesistoiigatecorporations.Howwillthemagazinebeabletoacrediblewaythatit’siigatingtheVangerCorporation?”
Bergergavehimasurprisedlook,asifthequestioelyued.
“AreyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilityisdiminishedbecauseawell-knownfinahsignifitresourceshasehepicture?”
“YoucouldnotnowcrediblyiigatetheVangerCorporation.”
“IsthatarulethatappliesspecificallytoMillennium?”
“Excuseme?”
“Imean,youworkforapublicationthatisforthemostpartownedbymajorcorporateentities.DoesthatmeanthatheneerspublishedbytheBonnierGroupiscredible?AftoisownedbyahugeNiancorporation,whiturnisamajorpyerinITandmunications—doesthatmeanthatanythingAftopublishesabouttheeleidustryisnotcredible?MetroisowheStenbeckGroup.Areyousayingthatnopublicationihathassignifiteiterestsbehinditiscredible?”
“No,ofcoursenot.”
“ThenwhyareyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilitywouldbediminishedbecausewealsohavebackers?”
Thereporterhelduphishand.
“OK,I’llretractthatquestion.”
“No.Don’tdothat.IwantyoutoprilywhatIsaid.AndyouaddthatifDNpromisestofocusalittleextraontheVangerCorporation,thenwe’llfocusalittlemoreontheBonnierGroup.”
Butitwasahicaldilemma.
BlomkvistwaswforHenrikVanger,whowasinapositiontosinkMillenniumwiththestrokeofapen.WhatwouldhappenifBlomkvistandVangerbecameenemies?
Andaboveall—ricedidsheputonherowncredibility,andwhenhadshebeentransformedfromanindepeeditorintoacorruptedone?
SanderclosedherbrowserandshutdownherPower.Shewasoutofworkandhungry.Thefirstditiondidnotworryhersomuch,sinceshehadregainedtroloverherbankaountandBjurmanhadalreadytakenousofavagueunpleasantnessinherpast.Thehungershedealtwithbyswitgonthecoffeemaker.Shemadethreebigopenrye-breadsandwicheswithcheese,caviar,andahard-boiledegg.Sheatehernighttimesnathesofainthelivingroomwhilesheworkedoionshehadgathered.
ThewyerFrodefromHedestadhadhiredhertodoaigationofMikaelBlomkvist,thejournalistwhowasgivenaprisoenceforlibellingfinancierHans-ErikWer?m.AfewmonthsterHenrikVanger,alsofromHedestad,joinsBlomkvist’smagazine’sboardofdirectorsandcimsthatthereisaspiracytocrushthemagazine.Allthisonthesamedaythatthefoestoprison.Mostfasatingofall:atwo-year-oldbackgroundarticle—“Withtwoemptyhands”—aboutHans-ErikWer?m,whichshefoundintheoionofMonopolyFinancialMagaziseemedthathebeganhiscareerintheverysameVangerCorporationiesixties.
Youdidn’thavetobearocketstisttoseethattheseeventsweresomehowreted.Therehadtobeaskeletoniheircupboards,andSanderlovedhuntions.Besides,shehadnothingelseonatthemoment.
PART3
Mergers
MAY16TOJULY11
ThirteenpertofthewomeninSwedenhavebeensubjectedtoaggravatedsexuassaultoutsideofasexualretionship.
CHAPTER15
Friday,May16–Saturday,May31
MikaelBlomkvistwasreleasedfromRull?kerPrisononFriday,May16,twomonthsafterhewasadmitted.Thesamedayheehefacility,hehadsubmittedanapplicationforparole,withoptimism.Heneverdidquiteuaeicalreasonsbehindhisrelease,butitmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththefactthathedidnotuseanyholidayleaveandthattheprisonpoputionwasforty-twowhilethenumberofbedswasthirty-one.Inanycase,thewardeerSarowsky,aforty-year-oldPolishexile—withwhomBlomkvistgotalongwell,wrotearemendationthathissentencebereduced.
HistimeatRull?kerhadbeenunstressfundpleasantenough.Theprisonhadbeendesigned,asSarowskyexpressedit,forhooligansanddrunkdrivers,notforhardenedcriminals.Thedailyroutinesremindedhimoflivinginayouthhostel.Hisfellowprisoners,halfofwhomweresed-geionimmigrants,regardedBlomkvistassomethingofararebirdinthegroup.HewastheonlyioappearoVnews,whithimacertainstatus.
Onhisfirstday,hewascalledratalkandofferedtherapy,trainingfromKomvux,ortheopportunityforotheradulteducation,andoupationalselling.Hedidnotfeeallforsocialrehabilitation,hehadpletedhisstudies,hethought,andhealreadyhadajob.Oherhand,heaskedforpermissiontokeephisiinhiscellsothathecouldtioworkonthehewasmissioowrite.Hisrequestwasgrahoutfurtherado,andSarowskyarrahimalockablecabisothathecouldleavetheputerinhiscell.Notthatanyoftheinmateswouldhavestolenorvandaliseditoranythinglikethat.Theyratherkeptaprotectiveeyeonhim.
InthiswayBlomkvistspenttwomonthswaboutsixhoursadayontheVangerfamilyicle,workthatwasinterruptedonlybyafewhoursofingorrecreationeachday.Blomkvistandtwoothers,oneofwhomcamefromSk?vdeandhadhisrootsinChile,wereassigotheprisongymeachday.RecreationsistedofwatgTV,pyingcards,httraining.Blomkvistdiscoveredthatheassablepokerpyer,buthestilllostafewfifty-?reseveryday.Regutiotedpyingformohetotalpotdidnotexceedfivekronor.
Hewastoldofhisreleaseonlyonedaybefore.Sarowskysummonedhimtohisoffidtheysharedatoastwithaquavit.
BlomkvistwentstraightbacktotheinHedeby.Whenhewalkedupthefrontstepsheheardameowandfoundhimselfescortedbythereddish-browncat.
“OK,youein,”hesaid.“ButIhavenomilkyet.”
Heunpackedhisbags.Itwasasifhehadbeenonholiday,andherealisedthatheactuallymissedthepanyofSarowskyandhisfellowprisoners.Absurdasitseemed,hehadenjoyedhistimeatRull?ker,buthisreleasehadesouedlythathehadhadnotimetoletanyoneknow.
Itwasjustafter6:00intheevening.HehurriedovertoKonsumtobuygroceriesbeforetheyclosed.WhehomehecalledBerger.Amessagesaidshewasunavaible.Heaskedforhertocallhimtheday.
Thenhewalkeduptohisemployer’shouse.HefoundVahegroundfloor.TheoldmanraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprisewhenhesawMikael.
“Didyouescape?”
“Releasedearly.”
“That’sasurprise.”
“Formetoo.Ifoundoutstnight.”
Theylookedateachotherforafewseds.ThentheoldmansurprisedBlomkvistbythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandgivinghimabearhug.
“Iwasjustabouttoeat.Joinme.”
Annaproducedagreatquantityofbapahlingonberries.Theysatthereinthediningroomandtalkedforalmosttwohours.Blomkvisttoldhimabouthowfarhehadgotwiththefamilyicle,aherewereholesandgaps.TheydidnottalkatalboutHarriet,butVaoldhimalboutMillennium.
“Wehadaboardmeeting.Fr?kenBergerandyourpartnerMalmwerekindenoughtomovetwoofthemeetingsuphere,whileDireatameetinginSto.IreallywishIwereafewyearsyounger,butthetruthisthatit’stformetotravelsofar.I’lltrytogetdownthereduringthesummer.”
“Noreasonnottoholdthemeetingsuphere,”Blomkvistsaid.“Sohowdoesitfeeltobeapartowhemagazine?”
Vangergavehimawrysmile.
“It’sactuallythemostfunI’vehadinyears.I’vetakenalookatthefinances,andtheylookprettyfair.Iwon’thavetoputupasmueyasIthought—thegapbetweenineandexpensesisdwindling.”
“ItalkedwithErikathisweek.Shesaysthatadvertisingrevenuehasperkedup.”
“It’sstartingtoturnaround,yes,butit’lltaketime.AtfirstthepaheVangerCorporatioinandboughtupabunchoffullpageads.Buttwoformeradvertisers—mobiletelephonesandatravelbureau—haveeback.”Hesmiledbroadly.“We’realsodoingalittlemoreoo-olingamongWer?m’senemies.And,believeme,there’salonglist.”
“HaveyouhearddirectlyfromWer?m?”
“Well,notreally.ButweleakedastorythatWer?misanisingtheboyilleneratDNissaidtohavereachedhimandgotasurlyreply.”
“Youareenjoyingthis,aren’tyou?”
“Enjoyisn’ttheword.Ishouldhavedevotedmyselftothisyearsago.”
“WhatisitbetweenyouandWer?m,anyway?”
“Dory.You’llfindoutattheendofyouryear.”
WhenBlomkvistleftVangeraround9:00therewasadistinctfeelingintheair.Itwasdarkoutsideandhehesitatedforamoment.ThenhemadehisfamiliarcircuitandkhedoorofCeciliaVanger’shouse.
Hewasn’tsurewhatheexpected.Ceciliaopenedhereyeswideandinstantlylookedunfortableasshelethimintothehall.Theystoodthere,suddenlyunsureofeachother.Shetooaskedifhehadescaped,andheexpihesituation.
“Ijustwaosayhello.AmIinterruptingsomething?”
Sheavoidedhiseyes.Mikaelcouldseoshewasn’tparticurlygdtoseehim.
“No…no,ein.Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
“Iwould.”
Hefollowedherintothekit.Shestoodwithherbaasshefilledthecoffeemakerwithwater.Heputahandonhershoulder,aiffened.
“Cecilia,youdon’tlookasifyouwanttogivemecoffee.”
“Iwasn’texpegyouforanothermonth,”shesaid.“Yousurprisedme.”
Heturnedheraroundsothathecouldseeherface.Theystoodinsilenoment.Shestillwouldnotlookhimintheeye.
“Cecilia.Fetaboutthecoffee.What’sgoingon?”
Sheshookherheadandtookadeepbreath.
“Mikael,I’dlikeyoutoleave.Don’task.Justleave.”
Mikaelfirstwalkedbacktothecottage,butpausedatthegate,undecided.Insteadofgoingidowntothewaterbythebridgeandsatonarock.HesmokedacigarettewhilehesortedouthisthoughtsandwonderedwhatcouldhavesodramaticallygedCeciliaVanger’sattitudetowardshim.
Hesuddehesoundofanengineandsawabigwhiteboatslipintothesouhthebridge.Whenitpassed,MikaelsawthatitwasMartinVaandingatthewheel,withhisgazefocusedonavoidingsunkenrothewater.Theboatwasaforty-footmotorcruiser—animpressivebundleofpower.Hestoodupandtookthebeachpath.Hediscoveredthatseveralboatswerealreadyieratvariousdocks,amixtureofmotorboatsandsailingboats.TherewereseveralPetterssonboats,andatonedoIF-cssyachtwasroginthewake.Otherboatswerergerandmoreexpensivevessels.HenoticedaHallberg-Rassy.TheboatsalsoindicatedthecssdistributionofHedeby’smarina—MartinVangerhadwithoutadoubtthergestandtheplushestboatinview.
HestoppedbelowCeciliaVanger’shouseandstoleaghelightedwindowsoopfloor.Thehomeandputonsomecoffeeofhisowintohisofficewhilehewaitedforittobrew.
BeforehepresentedhimselfattheprisonhehadreturhemajorityofVanger’sdotationonHarriet.Ithadseemedwisenottoleaveitiyhouse.Nowtheshelveslookedbare.Hehad,ofthereports,onlyfiveofVanger’sownnotes,andthesehehadtakenwithhimtoRull?kerandnowknewbyheart.Henotialbumoopshelfofthecasethathehadfotten.
Hecarriedittothekittable.Hepouredhimselfcoffeeandbegangoingthroughit.
TheywerephotographsthathadbeehedayHarrietdisappeared.ThefirstofthemwasthestphotographofHarriet,attheChildren’sDayparadeiad.Thenthereweresome180crystal-clearpicturesoftheseoftheaidentonthebridge.Hehadexamiheimagesonebyohamagnifyinggssonseveraloasionspreviously.urhepagesalmostabsent-mindedly;heknewhewasnotgoingtofindanythinghehadnotseenbefore.InfacthefeltallofasuddenfedupwiththeunexpinabledisappearanceofHarrietVangerandsmmedthealbumshut.
Restlesslyhewenttothekitwindoeeredoutintothedarkness.
Theurnedhisgazebacktothealbum.Hecouldnothaveexpihefeeling,butathoughtflittedthroughhishead,asthoughhewerereagtosomethinghehadjustseen.Itwasasthoughaninvisiblecreaturehadwhisperedinhisear,makingthehairsonthebackofhisandonend.
Heopehealbumagaithroughitpagebypage,lookingatallthepicturesofthebridge.Helookedattheyoungerversionofanoil-soakedHenrikVangerandayoungerHarald,amanwhomhehadstillhebrokenrailing,thebuildings,thewindowsandthevehiclesvisibleiures.Hecouldnotfailtoidentifyatwenty-year-oldCeciliainthemidstoftheonlookers.Shehadonalight-coloureddressandadarkjacketandwasiwentyofthephotographs.
Hefeltafreshexcitement,aheyearsBlomkvisthadlearrusthisinstincts.Theseinstinctswerereagtosomethinginthealbum,buthecouldsaywhatitwas.
Hewasstiltthekittableat11:00,staringonebyoneagainatthephotographswhehedooropen.
“MayIein?”ItwasCeciliaVanger.Withoutwaitingforananswershesatdownacrossfromhimatthetable.Blomkvisthadastrangefeelingofdéjàvu.Shewasdressedinathin,loose,light-coloureddressandagreyish-bluejacket,clothesalmostidenticaltothoseshewaswearingiographsfrom1966.
“You’retheonewho’stheproblem,”shesaid.
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
“Fiveme,butyoutookmebysurprisewhenyoukhedoortonight.NowI’msounhappyI’tsleep.”
“Whyareyouunhappy?”
“Don’tyouknow?”
Heshookhishead.
“IfItellyou,promiseyouwon’tugh.”
“Promise.”
“WhenIseducedyoustwiwasanidiotic,impulsiveact.Iwaoenjoymyself,that’sall.ThatfirstnightIwasquitedrunk,andIhadnoiionofstartinganythinglong-termwithyou.Thenitturosomethingelse.Iwantyoutoknowthatthoseweekswithyouasmyoasionalloverweresomeofthehappiestinmylife.”
“Ithoughtitwaslovelytoo.”
“Mikael,I’vebeenlyingtoyouandtomyselfthewholetime.I’veneverbeenparticurlyrexedaboutsex.I’vehadfivesexpartnersiirelife.OncewhenIwastwenty-oneaahenwithmyhusband,whomImetwhenIwastwenty-fiveandwhoturtobeabastard.AndtheimeswiththreeguysImetseveralyearsapart.Butyouprovokedsomethinginme.Isimplycouldenough.Ithadsomethingtodowiththefactthatyou’resoundemanding.”
“Cecilia,youdon’thaveto…”
“Shh—don’tinterrupt,orI’llneverbeabletotellyouthis.”
Blomkvistsatinsilence.
“ThedayyouleftforprisonIwasabsolutelymiserable.Yohoughyouhadneverexisted.Itwasdarkhereintheguesthouse.Itwascoldayinmybed.AndthereIwas,anoldmaidoffifty-sixagain.”
ShesaidnothingforawhileandlookedBlomkvistintheeyes.
“Ifellihyoustwinter.Idido,butithappened.Aookstodrealisedthatyouwereoemporarily;onedayyou’llbegonefood,andI’llstayherefortherestofmylife.IthurtsodamnmuchthatIdecidedIwasn’tgoingtoletyouinagainwhenyoucamebaprison.”
“I’msorry.”
“It’snotyourfault.WhenyoulefttonightIsatandcried.IwishIhadthecetolivemylifeain.ThenIwoulddecideonohing.”
“What’sthat?”
Shelookeddownatthetable.
“ThatIwouldhavetobetotallyinsaostopseeingyoujustbecauseyoingtoleaveoneday.Mikael,westartagain?youfetpenedearlierthisevening?”
“It’sfotten,”hesaid.“Butthankyoufortellingme.”
Shewasstilllookingdownatthetable.
“Ifyoustillwa’sdoit.”
Shelookedathimagain.Theupaovertothebedroomdoor.Shedroppedherjacketonthefloorandpulledherdressoverherheadasshewent.
BlomkvistandCeciliaVangerwokeupwhenthefrontdooropenedandsomeonewaswalkingthroughthekit.Theyheardthethudofsomethingheavybeingputdowhewoodstove.ThenBergerwasstandinginthebedroomdoorwaywithasmilethatrapidlygedtoshock.
“Oh,goodLord.”Shetookastepback.
“Hi,Erika,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Hi.I’msosorry.Iapologiseathousandtimesfihis.Ishouldhaveknocked.”
“Weshouldhavelockedthefrontdoor.Erika—thisisCeciliaVanger.Cecilia—ErikaBergeristheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
“Hi,”Ceciliasaid.
“Hi,”Bergersaid.Shelookedasthoughshecouldnotdecidewhethertostepforolitelyshakehandsorjustleave.“Uh,I…Igoforawalk…”
“Whatdoyousaytoputtingonsomecoffeeinstead?”Blomkvistlookedatthearmclothebedsidetable.Justpastnoon.
Bergernoddedandpulledthebedroomdoorshut.BlomkvistandCecilialookedateachother.Ceciliaappearedembarrassed.Theyhadmadeloveandtalkeduntil4:00inthem.ThenCeciliasaidshethoughtshe’dsleepoverandthatiureshewouldn’tgiveatinker’scusswhoknewshewassleepingwithMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadsleptwithherbaandwithhisarmtuckedaroundherbreasts.
“Listen,it’sOK,”hesaid.“Erika’smarriedandsheisn’tmygirlfriend.Weseeeachothernowandthen,butshedoesn’tcareatallifyouandIhavesomething…She’sprobablyprettyembarrassedherselfrightnow.”
Whentheywentintothekitawhileter,Erikahadsetoutcoffee,juice,lemonmarmade,cheese,andtoast.Itsmelledgood.Ceciliawentstraightuptoherandheldoutherhand.
“Iwasalittleabruptinthere.Hi.”
“DearCecilia,I’msosorryforstompinginlikeanelephant,”saidaveryembarrassedErikaBerger.
“Fetit,fod’ssake.A’shavebreakfast.”
AfterbreakfastBergerexcusedherselfahemalone,sayingthatshehadtogoandsayhellotoVanger.Ceciliaclearedthetablewithherbaikael.Hewentupandputhisarmsaroundher.
“What’sgoingtohappennow?”Ceciliasaid.
“Nothing.Thisisthewayitis—Erikaismybestfriend.SheandIhavebeeheroffandonfortwentyyearsandwillprobablybe,onandoff,togetherforawenty.Ihopeso.Butwe’veneverbeenacoupleandweinthewayofeachother’sromances.”
“Isthatwhatwehave?Aromance?”
“Idon’tknoehave,butapparentlywegetalong.”
“Where’sshegoingtosleeptonight?”
“We’llfindheraroomsomewhere.OneofHenrik’ssparerooms.Shewon’tbesleepinginmybed,anyway.”
Ceciliathoughtaboutthisforamoment.
“Idon’tknowifIhahis.Youandshemightfunthatway,butIdon’tknow…I’venever…”Sheshookherhead.“I’mgoingbaypce.Ihavetothinkaboutthisforawhile.”
“Cecilia,youaskedmeearlierandItoldyouaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Herexisten’tbeasurprisetoyou.”
“That’strue.ButaslongasshewasatafortabledistancedowninStoIcouldignoreher.”
Ceciliaputonherjacket.
“Thissituationisludicrous,”shesaidwithasmile.“eoverfordionight.BringErika.IthinkI’mgoingtolikeher.”
Erikahadalreadysolvedtheproblemofwheretosleep.OnpreviousoasionswhenshehadbeenuptoHedebytovisitVangershehadstayedinoneofhissparerooms,andsheaskedhimstraightoutifshecouldborrowtheroomagain.Henrikcouldscarcelycealhisdelight,andheassuredherthatshewasweleatanytime.
Withtheseformalitiesoutoftheway,BlomkvistandBergerwentforawalkacrossthebridgeandsatoerraceofSusanne’sBridgeCaféjustbeforeclosingtime.
“I’mreallypissedoff,”Bergersaid.“Idrivealltheheretoweleyoubacktofreedomandfindyouihthetownfemmefatale.”
“I’msorryaboutthat.”
“HowlonghaveyouandMissBigTits…”Bergerwavedherindexfinger.
“FromaboutthetimeVangerbecamepartowner.”
“Aha.”
“Whatdoyoumean,aha?”
“Justcurious.”
“Cecilia’sagoodwoman.Ilikeher.”
“I’mnotcritig.I’mjustpissedoff.dywithinreadthenIhavetogoo.Horison?”
“Likeafulholiday.Howarethingsatthemagazine?”
“Better.Forthefirsttimeiheadvertisingrevenueisontherise.We’rewaybelowthistimestyear,butwe’veturheer.ThankstoHenrik.Buttheweirdthingisthatsubscriptioinguptoo.”
“Theytendtofluctuate.”
“Byacoupleofhundredonewayortheother.Butwe’vepickedupthreethousandiquarter.AtfirstIthoughtitwasjustluck,butnewsubscriberskeepingin.It’sestsubscriptionjumpever.Atthesametime,ourexistingsubscribersarerenewiysistentlyacrosstheboard.Noneofusderstandit.Wehaven’trunanyadcampaigns.Christerspentaweekdoingspotchewhatsortofdemographicisshowingup.First,they’reallbrand-newsubscribers.Sed,70pertofthemarewomen.Normallyit’stheotherwayaround.Third,thesubscribersbedescribedasmiddle-ie-colrworkersfromthesuburbs:teachers,middlema,civilserviceworkers.”
“Thinkit’sthemiddle-cssrevoltagainstbigcapital?”
“Idon’tknow.Butifthiskeepsup,it’llmeanasignifitshiftinoursubscriberprofile.Wehadaorialferewoweeksagoanddecidedtostartrunniypesofmaterialinthemagazine.IwantmorearticlesonprofessionalmattersassociatedwithTCO,theSwedishfederationofProfessionalEmployees,andalsomoreiigativereponwomen’sissues,forinstance.”
“Don’tgetoomuch,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ifwe’regettingnewsubscribersthehattheylikewhatwe’rerunningalready.”
CeciliahadalsoinvitedVaodinner,possiblytoreducetheriskoftroublesometopicsofversation.Shehadmadeavenisonstew.BergerandVangerspentagooddealofthetimediscussingMillennium’sdevelopmentandthenewsubscribers,butgraduallytheversatiooothermatters.BergersuddenlyturoBlomkvistatonepointandaskedhimhoasingalong.
“I’mtingonhavingadraftofthefamilyiclepleteinamonthforHenriktolookat.”
“AithespiritoftheAddamsfamily,”Ceciliasaid.
“Itdoeshavecertainhistoricaspects,”Blomkvistceded.
CeciliagVanger.
“Mikael,Henrikisn’treallyiedinafamilyicle.HewantsyoutosolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
Blomkvistdidnotsayaword.EversincehehadbegunhisretionshipwithCeciliahehadtalkedfairlyopenlyaboutHarrietwithher.Ceciliahadalreadydeducedthatthiswashisreassig,eventhoughheneverformallyadmittedit.HehadcertaioldHenrikthatheandCeciliahaddiscussedthesubject.Vanger’sbushyeyebrowsdrewtogetherabit.Erikawassilent.
“MydearHenrik,”Ceciliasaid.“I’mnotstupid.Idon’tknowwhatsortofagreementyouandMikaelhave,buthisstayhereinHedebyisaboutHarriet.Itis,isn’tit?”
VangernoddedandgBlomkvist.
“Itoldyoushewassharp.”Heturer.“IpresumethatMikaelhasexpioyouwhathe’swonhereinHedeby.”
Shenodded.
“AndIpresumeyouthinkit’sasenselessuaking.No,youdon’thavetoahat.Itisanabsurdandseask.ButIhavetofindout.”
“Ihavenoopinionoer,”Bergersaiddiplomatically.
“Ofcourseyoudo.”HeturoBlomkvist.“Tellme.Haveyoufoundanythingatallthatmighttakeusforward?”
BlomkvistavoidedmeetingVanger’sgaze.Hethoughtinstantlyofthecold,unpceablecertaintyhehadhadthenightbefore.Thefeelinghadbeenwithhimallday,buthehadhadnotimetoworkhiswaythroughthealbumagain.AtsthelookedupatVangerandshookhishead.
“Ihaven’tfoundasihing.”
Theoldmanscrutinisedhimeratinglook.Herefrainedfrommenting.
“Idon’tknowaboutyouyoungpeople,”hesaid,“butformeit’stimetogotobed.Thankyoufordinner,Cecilia.Goodnight,Erika.Doseemebeforeyouleavetomorrow.”
WhenVangerhadclosedthefrontdoor,sileledoverthem.ItwasCeciliawhospokefirst.
“Mikael,whatwasallthatabout?”
“ItmeansthatHenrikisassensitivetopeople’sreasasaseismograph.LastnightwhenyoucametothecottageIwaslookingthroughanalbum.”
“Yes?”
“Isawsomething.Idon’tknowwhatitwasyet.Itwassomethingthatalmostbecameanidea,butImissedit.”
“Sowhatwereyouthinkingabout?”
“Ijust’ttellyou.Andthenyouarrived.”
Ceciliablushed.SheavoidedBerger’sgazeaouttoputonsomecoffee.
Itwasawarmandsunnyday.Newgreenshootsearing,andBlomkvistcaughthimselfhummingtheoldsong,“BlossomTimeIsing.”ItwasMondayandBergerhadleftearly.
Whenhehadgooprisoninmid-Marowstillcoveredthend.Nowthebircheswereturninggreenandthewnaroundhiswaslush.ForthefirsttimehehadacetolookaroundallofHedebyIsnd.At8:00hewentoverandaskedtoborrowathermosfromAnna.HespokebrieflywithVanger,whowasjustup,andwasgivenhismapoftheisedtogetacloserlookatGottfried’s.VaoldhimthatthewasownedbyMartinVangernowbutthatithadstoodmostlyvatovertheyears.Oasionallysomeretivewouldborrowit.
BlomkvistjustmaocatchMartinbeforeheleftforwork.Heaskedifhemightborrowthekey.Martingavehimanamusedsmile.
“IpresumethefamilyiclehasnowreachedthechapteraboutHarriet.”
“Ijustwanttotakealook…”
Martincamebackwiththekeyinaminute.
“IsitOKthen?”
“AsfarasI’med,youmoveinthereifyouwant.Exceptforthefactthatit’sstuckrightattheotherendoftheisnd,it’sactuallyanicerspotthaageyou’rein.”
Blomkvistmadecoffeeandsandwiches.Hefilledabottlewithwaterbeforehesetoff,stuffinghispiiarucksackheslungoveroneshoulder.Hefollowedanarrow,partiallyrownpaththatranalongthebayohsideofHedebyIsnd.Gottfried’swasonapointaboutoneandahalfmilesfromthevilge,andittookhimonlyhalfanhourtocoverthedistaaleisurelypace.
MartinVangerhadbeenright.WhenBlomkvistcamearoundthebendofthenarrowpath,ashadedareabythewateropenedup.TherewasamarvellousviewoftheiheHedeRiver,Hedestadmarinatotheleft,andtheindustrialharbourtht.
Hewassurprisedthatno-onehadwaomoveintoGottfried’s.Itwasarusticstructuremadeofhorizontaldark-staiimberwithatileroofandgreenframes,andwithasmallporchatthefrontdoor.Themaintehehadbeened.Thepaintaroundthedoorsandwindowswasfkingoff,andwhatshouldhavebeenawnwasscrubayardhigh.Clearingitwouldtakeonewholeday’shardworkwithscytheandsaw.
Blomkvistunlockedthedooranduheshuttersoverthewindowsfromtheiheframeworkseemedtobeanoldbarhan1,300squarefeet.Theinsidewasfihpnksandsistedofoneroomwithbigwindowsfagthewaterohersideofthefrontdoor.Astaircaseledtoanopensleepingloftattherearofthethatcoveredhalfthespace.Behestairswasahapropanegasstove,ater,andasink.Thefurnishingswerebasic;builtintothewalltotheleftofthedoortherewasbench,aricketydesk,andaboveitacasewithteakshelves.Fartherdownonthesamesidewasabroadwardrobe.Thtofthedoorwasaroundtablewithfivewoodenchairs;afirepcestoodinthemiddleofthesidewall.
Thehadricity;iherewereseveralkerosenemps.InonewindowwasanoldGrundigtransistorradio.Theantennawasbrokenoff.Blomkvistpressedthepowerbuttonbutthebatteriesweredead.
Hewentupthenarrowstairsandlookedaroundthesleepingloft.Therewasadoublebedwithabaremattress,abedsidetable,andachestofdrawers.
Blomkvistspentawhileseargthroughthe.Thebureautyexceptforsomehandtowelsandlinensmellingfaintlyofmould.Inthewardrobethereweresomeworkclothes,apairofoveralls,rubberboots,apairofworntennisshoes,andakeroseove.Inthedeskdraritingpaper,pencils,abchpad,adeckofcards,andsomemarks.Thekitcupboardtaies,mugs,gsses,dles,andsomepackagesofsalt,teabags,andthelike.Inadraweriabletherewereeatingutensils.
Hefoundtheonlytracesofanyintellectualisonthecaseabovethedesk.Mikaelbroughtoverachairandgotuponittoseewhatwasontheshelves.OnthelowestshelfyissuesofSe,Rekasi,Tidsf?rdriv,ayrfromthetefiftiesandearlysixties.TherewereseveralBildjournalenfrom1965and1966,MattLivsNovell,andafewics:The91,Phantomen,andRomans.HeopenedacopyofLektyrfrom1964andsmiledtoseehowchastethepin-upwas.
Ofthes,abouthalfweremysterypaperbacksfromWahlstr?m’sManhattanseries:MickeySpilhtitleslikeKissMe,DeadlywiththecssioversbyBertilHegnd.HefoundhalfadozenKittys,someFamousFivenovelsbyEnidBlyton,andaTwinMysterybySivarAhlrud—TheMetroMystery.Hesmiledinreition.ThreesbyAstridLiheChildrenofNoisyVilge,KalleBlomkvistandRasmus,andPippiLongstog.Thetopshelfhadaaboutshort-waveradio,twosonastronomy,abirdguide,acalledTheEvilEmpireontheSovietUnion,aontheFinnishWinterWar,Luther’scatechism,theofHymns,andtheBible.
HeopeheBibleandreadontheinsidecover:HarrietVanger,May12,1963.ItwasherfirmationBible.Hesadlyputitbatheshelf.
Behindthetherewereawoodandtoolshedwithascythe,rake,hammer,andabigboxwithsaws,pnes,andothertools.Hetookachairontothepordpouredcoffeefromhisthermos.HelitacigaretteandlookedacrossHedestadBaythroughtheveilofundergrowth.
Gottfried’swasmuodestthanhehadexpected.HerewasthepcetowhichHarrietandMartin’sfatherhadretreatedwhenhismarriagetoIsabelwasgoingtothedogsiefifties.Hehadmadethishishomeandherehegotdrunk.Anddownthere,hewharf,hehaddrowned.Lifeatthehadprobablybeenpleasantinthesummer,butwheemperaturedroppedtofreezingitmusthavebeenrawached.AtowhatVaoldhim,GottfriedtioworkintheVangerCorporation—interruptedbyperiodswhenhewasonwildbinges—until1964.Thefactthathewasabletoliveinthemoreorlesspermalyandstilppearforworkshaven,washed,andinajacketandtiespokeofasurvivingpersonaldiscipline.
AndherewasalsothepcethatHarriethadbeentosooftenthatitwasohefirstinwhichtheylookedforher.Vangerhadtoldhimthatduriyear,Harriethadgoentothe,apparentlytobeinpeaweekendsorholidays.Isummershehadlivedhereforthreemonths,thoughshecameintothevilgeeveryday.AnitaVanger,Cecilia’ssister,spentsixweekswithherhere.
WhathadshedohereallohemagazitLivsNovelndRomans,aswelsanumberofsaboutKitty,musthavebeenhers.Perhapsthesketchpadhadbeenhers.AndherBiblewashere.
Shehadwaobeclosetoherlostfather—wasitaperiodofmsheogetthrough?Ordidithavetodowithherreligiousbrooding?Theartan—wasshepretendingtoliveinavent?
Blomkvistfollowedtheshoreliothesoutheast,butthewaywassointerruptedbyravinesandsogrowhjunipershrubsthatitwasallbutimpassable.HewentbacktotheandstartedbatheroadtoHedeby.AtothemapthereaththroughthewoodstosomethingcalledtheFortress.Ittookhimtwentymiofinditintherownscrub.TheFortresswaswhatremaiheshorelinedefentheSedWorldWar;cretebunkerswithtrenchesspreadoutaroundamandbuilding.Everythingwasoverrunwithlonggrassandscrub.
Hewalkeddoathtoaboathouse.otheboathousehefoundthewreckofaPetterssonboat.HereturheFortressandtookapathuptoafence—hehadeto?sterg?rdenfromtheotherside.
Hefollowedthemeanderingpaththroughthewohlyparalleltothefieldsof?sterg?rdehwasdifficulttoiate—therewerepatarshthathehadtoskirt.Finallyhecametoasandbeyonditabarn.Asfarashecouldseethepathehere,ahundredyardsfromtheroadto?sterg?rden.
Beyondtheroadythehill,S?derberget.Blomkvistwalkedupasteepslopeandhadtoclimbthestbit.S?derberget’ssummitwasanalmostverticalclifffagthewater.HefollowedtheridgebacktowardsHedeby.Hestoppedabovethesummercottagestoenjoytheviewoftheoldfishingharbourandthechurdhisowncottage.Hesatonaftrodpouredhimselfthestofthelukewarmcoffee.
CeciliaVangerkeptherdistance.Blomkvistdidnotwanttobeimportunate,sohewaitedaweekbeforehewenttoherhouse.Shelethimin.
“YoumustthinkI’mquitefoolish,afifty-six-year-old,respectableheadmistressaglikeateenagegirl.”
“Cecilia,yrownwoman.Youhavetherighttodowhateveryouwant.”
“Iknowandthat’swhyI’vedecidednottoseeyouanymore.I’tstand…”
“Please,youdon’tonation.Ihopewe’restillfriends.”
“Iwouldlikeforustoremainfriends.ButI’tdealwitharetionshipwithyou.Ihaven’teverbeengoodatretionships.I’dlikeitifyouwouldleavemeinpeaceforawhile.”
CHAPTER16
Sunday,Juuesday,June10
Aftersixmonthsoffruitlesscogitation,thecaseofHarrietVangercrackedopen.InthefirstweekofJune,Blomkvistuhreetotallynewpiecesofthepuzzle.Twoofthemhefoundhimself.Thethirdhehadhelpwith.
AfterBerger’svisitinMay,hehadstudiedthealbumagain,sittingforthreehours,lookingatoographafteranother,ashetriedtorediscoverwhatitwasthathehadreactedto.Hefailedagain,soheputthealbumasideabacktoworkonthefamilyistead.
OnedayinJunehewasiad,thinkingaboutsomethingaltogetherdifferent,whenhisbustursgatananditsuddenlycametohimwhathadbeengerminatinginthebackofhismind.Theinsightstruckhimlikeathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Hefeltsofusedthathestayedonthebusallthewaytotheststopbytherailwaystation.TherehetookthefirstbusbacktoHedebytocheckwhetherhehadrememberedcorrectly.
Itwasthefirstphotographinthealbum,thestpicturetakenofHarrietVahatfatefuldaysgataad,whileshehadbeenwatgtheChildren’sDayparade.
Thephotographwasanoddoohaveincludedinthealbum.Ituttherebecauseitwastakenthesameday,butitwastheonlyohephotographsnotoftheaidentonthebridge.EachtimeBlomkvistandeveryoneelsehadlookedatthealbum,itwasthepeopleaailsiuresofthebridgethathadcapturedtheirattention.TherewasnodramaiureofacrowdattheChildren’sDayparade,severalhoursearlier.
Vangermusthavelookedatthephotographathousandtimes,asorrowfulremihathewouldneverseeheragain.
ButthatwasnotwhatBlomkvisthadreactedto.
Itwastakenfromacrossthestreet,probablyfromafirst-floorwindow.Thewide-anglelenshadcaughtthefrontofohefloats.Obedwerewomenwearingglitteringbathingsuitsandharemtrousers,throwiothecrowd.Someofthemweredang.Threeswerejumpingaboutinfrontofthefloat.
Harrietwasinthefrontrowofthecrowdstandingonthepavemeoherwerethreegirls,clearlyhercssmates,andaroundandbehindthemwereatleastahuherspectators.
ThisiswhatBlomkvisthadnoticedsubsciouslyandwhichsuddenlyrosetothesurfacewhenthebuspassedtheexactsamespot.
Thecrowdbehavedasanaudienceshould.Theireyesalwaysfollowtheballinatennismatchorthepuanicehockeyrink.Theoandingatthefarleftofthephotographwerelookingatthesrightinfrontoftheheexpressionsontheirfaceswerecalm.Childrenpointed.Somewereughing.Everyonelookedhappy.
Allexceptone.
HarrietVangerwaslookingofftotheside.Herthreefriendsandeveryoneelseinherviitywerelookingatthes.Harriet’sfacewasturnedalmost30°to35°tht.Hergazeseemedfixedohingacrossthestreet,butbeyo-handedgeofthephotograph.
Mikaeltookthemagnifyinggssandtriedtomakeoutthedetails.Thephotographwastakenfromtoogreatadistantobeentirelysure,butuhosearoundher,Harriet’sfaceckedexcitement.Hermouthwasathinline.Hereyeswerewideopen.Herhandshunglimplyathersides.Shelookedfrightened.Frightenedorfurious.
Mikaeltooktheprintoutofthealbum,putitinastiffpstider,aowaitforthebusbatoHedestad.HegotoffatJ?rnv?gsgatanandstooduhewindowfromwhichthepicturemusthavebeewasattheedgeofwhatstitutedHedestad’stowre.Itwasatwo-storeywoodenbuildingthathousedavideostoreandSundstr?m’sHaberdashery,establishedin1932atoapqueonthefrontdoor.Hewentinandsawthattheshopwasontwolevels;aspiralstaircaseledtotheupperfloor.
Atthetopofthespiralstaircasetwowindowsfacedthestreet.
“MayIhelpyou?”saidanelderlysalesmanwhenBlomkvisttookoutthebihthephotograph.Therewereonlyafewpeopleintheshop.
“Well,Ijustwaoseewherethispicturewastakenfrom.WoulditbeOKifIopehewindowforased?”
Themansaidyes.BlomkvistcouldseeexactlythespotwhereHarriethadstood.Ohewoodenbuildingsbehihephotographwasgone,repcedbyanangurbrickbuilding.Theotherwoodenbuildinghadbeenastatioorein1966;nowitwasahealthfoodstoreandtanningsalon.Blomkvistclosedthewindow,thaheman,andapologisedfortakinguphistime.
HecrossedthestreetandstoodwhereHarriethadstood.HehadgoodndmarksbetweenthewindowoftheupperfloorofthehaberdasheryandthedoorofthetanningsalournedhisheadandlookedalongHarriet’slineofsight.Asfarashecouldtell,shehadbeenlookingtowardstheerofthebuildingthathousedSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Iterfeormalerofabuilding,whereacrossstreetvanishedbehindit.Whatdidyouseethere,Harriet?
Blomkvistputthephotographinhisshoulderbagandwalkedtotheparkbythestation.Therehesatinapavementcaféandorderedatte.Hesuddeshaken.
InEnglishtheycallit“newevidence,”whichhasaverydifferentsoundfromtheSwedishterm,“newproofmaterial.”Hehadseehiirelynew,somethingno-oneelsehadnotiaigationthathadbeenmarkingtimeforthirty-sevenyears.
Theproblemwasthathewasn’tsurewhatvaluehisnewrmationhad,ificouldhaveanyatall.Ahefeltitwasgoingtoprovesignifit.
TheSeptemberdaywhenHarrietdisappearedhadbeendramatiumberofways.Ithadbeenadayofcelebratioadwithcrowdsofseveralthousandireets,youngandold.Ithadbeenthefamily’sannuassemblyonHedebyIsnd.Thesetwoeventsalonerepresenteddeparturesfromthedailyroutihearea.Thecrashonthebridgehadovershadowedeverythingelse.
IorMorell,HenrikVanger,andeveryoneelsewhohadbroodedaboutHarriet’sdisappearancehadfocusedosatHedebyIsnd.MorellhadevenwrittenthathecouldnotridhimselfofthesuspithattheaidentandHarriet’sdisappearancewerereted.Blomkvistwasnowvihatthisnotionwaswrong.
TheofeventshadstartednotonHedebyIsndbutiadseveralhoursearlier.HarrietVangerhadseehingorsomehtenherandprompthertogohome,ghttoheruncle,whounhappilydidnothavetimetolistehentheaidentonthebridgehappehenthemurdererstruck.
Blomkvistpaused.ItwasthefirsttimehehadsciouslyformutedtheassumptionthatHarriethadbeenmurdered.HeaeptedVanger’sbelief.Harrietwasdeadandhewashuntingforakiller.
Hewentbacktothepolicereport.Amongallthethousandsofpagesonlyafradealtwiththeeventsiad.Harriethadbeenwiththreeofhercssmates,allofwhomhadbeeninterviewed.Theyhadmetattheparkbythestationat9:00.Ohegirlswasgoingtobuysomejeans,andherfriewithher.TheyhadcoffeeintheEPAdepartmentstorecafeteriaandtheuptothesportsfieldandstrolledaroundamongtheivalboothsandfishingponds,wheretheyranintosomeotherfriendsfromschool.Atnoontheywanderedbatotowntowatchtheparade.Justbefore2:00iernoonHarrietsuddenlytoldthemthatshehadtogohome.TheysaidgoodbyeatabusstopnearJ?rnv?gsgatan.
Noneofherfriendshadnotiythingunusual.OhemwasIeheonewhohaddescribedHarriet’stransformatiohepastyearbysayingthatshehadbee“impersonal.”ShesaidthatHarriethadbeentaciturnthatday,whichwasusual,andmostlyshejustfollowedtheothers.
IorMorellhadtalkedtoallofthepeoplewhohadenteredHarrietthatday,eveniftheyhadonlysaidhellointhegroundsofthefamilyparty.Aphotographofherublishedintheloeerswhilethesearchwasgoingon.Aftershewentmissing,severalresidentsofHedestadhadtactedthepolicetosaythattheythoughttheyhadseenherduringthedayoftheparade,butno-onehadreportedanythingoutoftheordinary.
ThemBlomkvistfoundVahisbreakfasttable.
“YousaidthattheVangerfamilystillhasaintheHedestadCourier.”
“That’sright.”
“I’dliketohaveaesstotheirphotographicarchive.From1966.”
Vadownhisgssofmilkandwipedhisupperlip.
“Mikael,whathaveyoudiscovered?”
Helookedtheoldmanstraightintheeye.
“Nothingsolid.ButIthinkwemayhavemadeamistakeabouttheofevents.”
HeshowedVahephotographandtoldhimwhathewasthinking.Vasayingnothingforalongtime.
“IfI’mright,wehavetolookasfaraswestillatpenediadthatday,notjustatpenedonHedebyIsnd,”Blomkvistsaid.“Idon’tknowhowtogoaboutitaftersuchalongtime,butalotofphotographsmusthavebeeheChildren’sDaycelebrationswhichwereneverpublished.ThosearetheonesIwanttolookat.”
Vangerusedthetelephohekit.HecalledMartin,expinedwhathewanted,andaskedwhothepictureseditorwasthesedays.Withintenmiherightpeoplehadbeenlocatedandaesshadbeenarranged.
ThepictureseditoroftheHedestadCourierwasMadeleineBl,calledMaja.ShewasthefirstictureseditorBlomkvisthadmetinjournalism,wherephotographywasstillprimarilyamaleartform.
SiwasSaturday,thenewsroomty,butMajaBlturtoliveonlyfiveminutesaway,aBlomkvistattheoffitrance.ShehadworkedattheHedestadCourierformostofherlife.Shestartedasaproof-readerin1964,gedtophoto-finisheraanumberofyearsinthedarkroom,whileoasionallybeioutasaphotographerwhentheusualresourceswereinsuffit.Shehadgaihepositioor,earnedafull-timepostouredesk,andtenyearsago,whentheoldpictureseditorretired,shetookoverasheadofthedepartment.
Blomkvistaskedhowthepicturearchivewasarranged.
“Totellyouthetruth,thearchiveisratheramess.Siputersanddigitalphotographs,thecurrentarchiveisonCDs.We’vehadaninternherewhospentsometimesinginimportantolderpictures,butonlyasmallpertageofwhat’siackshavebeencatalogued.Olderpicturesarearrangedbydateiivefolders.They’reeitherhereinthenewsroomoriicstoreroom.”
“I’miedinphotographstakenoftheChildren’sDayparadein1966,butalsoinanyphotographsthatweretakenthatweek.”
Fr?kenBlavehimaquizzicallook.
“YoumeantheweekthatHarrietVangerdisappeared?”
“Youknowthestory?”
“Youcouldn’tworkattheCourieryourwholelifewithoutknowingaboutit,andwhenMartinVangercallsmeearlyinthemonmydayoff,Idrawmyownclusions.Hassomethiurnedup?”
Blhadanosefornews.Blomkvistshookhisheadwithalittlesmileandgaveherhiscoverstory.
“No,andIdon’tsupposeanyonewilleverfindthesolutiontothatpuzzle.It’sratherfidential,butthefactisthatI’mghostwritingHenrikVanger’sautobiography.Thestoryofthemissinggirlisanoddtopic,butit’salsoachapterthat’treallybeignored.I’mlookingforsomethingt